Talk me out of a Land Cruiser

[stiles_s]

I've always liked Land Cruisers. I'm still very early in my time with my '15 Trail, and love most things about it. The one thing that keeps eating me is I'm missing the v8 from my GX. I miss the torque and the noise. I'm frustrated by how "flat" the 4runner's v6 is between 2 and 4k -- the meat of the range.

Otherwise, though, the 4r is great.

Used LC200s aren't much more than what my '15 is worth. Maybe trade +10.

Pros of the LC:
- beefier build quality
- v8 -- big v8

cons:
- 3rd row is in the way and hard to remove
- gas mileage
- very little community support compared to 4r.

Thoughts?

 

[T4R2014]

New one? Hell no. Not worth it for a Toyota SUV that has an interior quality grade about on par with a Corolla yet managing to not be simple enough to be utilitarian.

Used one? Now that's a lot more reasonable considering everything underneath is nearly the same as a new one. It's not like they really go wrong either. I personally prefer the looks of the 5th gen, but if you really want that V8 then it's your call.

 

[wfo9]

I feel your pain.... The 4r motor is a dud for power.. You have to push it to make it go, but it can go.....

I'm not a 200 series LC fan. Big heavy overpriced and outdated from my perspective. Horrible off road (just too bulky and heavy to do anything good)

I would much rather have a GX. Which is basically a 4runner with a v8.... Still not ideal, but not the beast of a 200 series. Problem solved!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The LC200's are nice, but too much luxury for my tastes in the US; good drivetrain and not bad out of the box. I know some people have kitted them up, but it's few and far between.

 

[TheWraith]

The Land Cruiser club has the heaviest pulled in Toyota Corp. Slee off road have some nice upgrades for it... I originally wanted a LC but just couldn't afford it.. Ultimately I'm happy with my Rig.

Either way you can't go wrong...

 

[4RunnerAU]

I feel your pain.... The 4r motor is a dud for power.. You have to push it to make it go, but it can go.....

I'm not a 200 series LC fan. Big heavy overpriced and outdated from my perspective. Horrible off road (just too bulky and heavy to do anything good)

I would much rather have a GX. Which is basically a 4runner with a v8.... Still not ideal, but not the beast of a 200 series. Problem solved!

I agree with this. The GX is really underrated. I would get one if I could afford it, honestly!

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Talking someone out of a Land Cruiser is not something that I will ever do. It's what I have wanted since I was 15, and still want today. I am constantly looking for one, however at this moment, they are still really frigging expensive. I could trade my 4Runner for one that is 3 or 4 years older and has 2x the miles. That kinda sucks, so I will not be doing it unless the prefect one comes along. Until then I say learn to love what you have, but always keep an eye out for a good deal. I almost bought a used 2008 LX with 75k last year (for $40k -awesome deal)....It was one hell of a machine. I simply could not shake the feeling that I was trading my relatively new vehicle (with warranty) for something that was very obviously used. In the end I could not stomach taking on an extra year of higher payments for an older, higher millage vehicle. The 4Runner is as close to a 200 that you will get in terms of durability and reliability, so if I have to drive a SUV other than a Land Cruiser, it will be a 4Runner.

 

[stiles_s]

New one? Hell no. Not worth it for a Toyota SUV that has an interior quality grade about on par with a Corolla yet managing to not be simple enough to be utilitarian.

Used one? Now that's a lot more reasonable considering everything underneath is nearly the same as a new one. It's not like they really go wrong either. I personally prefer the looks of the 5th gen, but if you really want that V8 then it's your call.

No, not new. Thinking '11-13 used, in the 50s.

 

[stiles_s]

I agree with this. The GX is really underrated. I would get one if I could afford it, honestly!

I put 100k miles on my 2007 GX/sport. Great rig, with few complaints:
- short seat cushions (I think it was sized for women)
- flaky rear air suspension
- finicky ignition key

But, beyond that just a great rig. I miss the v8, for sure. God the new ones are ugly. That face.

 

[msp]

No, not new. Thinking '11-13 used, in the 50s.

I was in the same situation about 6 months ago and ended up in a Limited...roughly half the price of a new Land Cruiser. All of your points are valid. For me, the latest Land Cruiser is just too big, heavy, and expensive. I can use the $40K+ I "saved" for a lot of trips, gear, upgrades.

Land Cruisers are amazing vehicles. I consistently see ones for sale here with 200K-300K miles on them. If you can find a low mileage used one, you'll be able to drive it for years.

 

[MTN4RNR]

200 series, ok, but not my favorite. Too much lux for an off-road based vehicle with a LOT of potential... An overseas 200 from Australia, Daddy like.

Round these parts, I have a soft spot for a mid 2000's 100 series. I spotted a sweet rig in a nearby neighborhood today, and I turned around just to go check it out. Turned out it had some Slee goodies, 35's and goddamn did it look good... I was VERY close to picking one up before I opt'd for the Runner... Some day...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The Land Cruiser club has the heaviest pulled in Toyota Corp. Slee off road have some nice upgrades for it... I originally wanted a LC but just couldn't afford it.. Ultimately I'm happy with my Rig.

Either way you can't go wrong...

Weird... I don't see a lot of heavily modded LC200's out there. I bet they look monstrously good with full metal bumpers and such all kitted up. I wouldn't mind a LC200, but I just don't want to spend the ridiculous amount of money for the only "Luxury Mall Crawler" package that is offered for them. Same reason I decided against a GX470 or GX460, I just didn't feel it was worth it to spend a premium on a vehicle that I was going to have to gut all the useless luxury crap that added 50% to the sticker price in the first place.

Man I wish I could get a nice simple LC200 with either the 3UR-FE or 1VD-FTV w/ dual turbos, manual all-time 4WD transfercase with Torsen T3, and cloth seats with minimal ritz (though I still want that *****in' center console cooler!), I'd drop 50 grand for that LC200 to modify.

 

[Jhalko]

Weird... I don't see a lot of heavily modded LC200's out there. I bet they look monstrously good with full metal bumpers and such all kitted up. I wouldn't mind a LC200, but I just don't want to spend the ridiculous amount of money for the only "Luxury Mall Crawler" package that is offered for them. Same reason I decided against a GX470 or GX460, I just didn't feel it was worth it to spend a premium on a vehicle that I was going to have to gut all the useless luxury crap that added 50% to the sticker price in the first place.

Man I wish I could get a nice simple LC200 with either the 3UR-FE or 1VD-FTV w/ dual turbos, manual all-time 4WD transfercase with Torsen T3, and cloth seats with minimal ritz (though I still want that *****in' center console cooler!), I'd drop 50 grand for that LC200 to modify.

See them around here some, ARB bumper painted to match, sliders, and a lift... Drool.

 

[Salvo]

These guys all make valid points. But if I could afford a used 200 with around 50k miles or so, my 4Runner would become an endangered species. I love my truck, but LC's are on another level.

 

[mgreen6616]

I've always liked Land Cruisers. I'm still very early in my time with my '15 Trail, and love most things about it. The one thing that keeps eating me is I'm missing the v8 from my GX. I miss the torque and the noise. I'm frustrated by how "flat" the 4runner's v6 is between 2 and 4k -- the meat of the range.

Otherwise, though, the 4r is great.

Used LC200s aren't much more than what my '15 is worth. Maybe trade +10.

Pros of the LC:
- beefier build quality
- v8 -- big v8

cons:
- 3rd row is in the way and hard to remove
- gas mileage
- very little community support compared to 4r.

Thoughts?

I am in the same boat as you (well except for currently owning a 4Runner). I have been looking at TEP 4Runners and can get a new one for 37k ($37,177 to be exact) and have been looking at 2013 Land Cruisers and they run 52-55k but the real dilema for me is that my sister owns a car dealership and can purchase a used 2013 LC at auction with less than 50k on the clock for 47k (last sold in auction tracker had 36,000 miles and went for UNDER 47k). So do I get a 2016 TEP for 37k or a 2013 LC for 10k more. That more marginalized difference is making my decision tough. I have seen some 200 series on iH8mud that look pretty awesome with sliders, bumpers, racks and custom drawers. It would also look great taking my family to the mall.

 

[Danimal]

I've been going through the exact same dilemma lately, and have come to a couple of conclusions.

• The size of a 200 series is PERFECT for long trips, overlanding, etc. but it's simply not possible to off-road this rig in the Midwest due to size. I don't off road often these days, but I like the option of running trails with friends.
• Even though I can only afford one with 80,000 miles or more, I'll probably still feel a strange need to baby a 200 series. I don't mind getting some scratches and dirt on my 4Runner (interior is caked in mud currently), and I like that feeling. I had an 80 series Lexus that was SHOWROOM and I was afraid to use it.
• Swapping a 15,000 mile vehicle for an 80,000+ mile vehicle seems crazy
• The 5th gen 4Runner seems to me to be the modern day equivalent of an 80 series in terms of size, capability, interior sparseness, etc. Though it's not as burly, overbuilt, and bomb proof.

All of that said, I've still been on the prowl for an LX570 or LC... I just can't help it!

Dan

 

[Lugboot]

A Land Cruiser is a Land Cruiser. Everything else...isn't.

I'd still own one if I could afford it. But I'm also sure I'll own another when the time is right.

Go surf IH8MUD to check out the community.

 

[peytokristen]

I can't talk you out of a Landcruiser. I have 4 of them and it's my favorite vehicle of anything on the road.
Here is my current stable:
1976 FJ40- my fun rig

1978 FJ40- refurbished, show rig

1997 FZJ80- lifted & rigged out DD

1997 FZJ80 40th Anniv. Completely Stock ' The wife's DD

The FZJ 80s are slow, heavy, last of the solid axle rigs, but have the torgue to do anything. They both have almost 200k miles and run like new. My wife loves hers and I feel safer with her driving it because they are built like tanks.

I am contemplating upgrading her to a 100 or 200 series sometime soon.

If you're looking for a Landcruiser forum go to IH8MUD. Best forum around for Landcruisers.

I love the 4Runners but if I had to choose..... The Landcruiser would be my choice.

The saying goes..... If Chuck Norris drove a Landcruiser, he would be a completely unstoppable force......

My vote.... LANDCRUISER.

 

[NuclearN8]

I can't.

My wife and I were planning to trade our 2007 in on a new 2016 4Runner this coming summer (last of the 5th Gen's likely) but have decided to hold off another year or two and pick up a lightly used 2015 LC200 when the LC300 gets debuted, likely in 2018. A 3 year old LC with average mileage runs between 45-55K and that's doable for us, 75-85K for a new one, is not.

If it's any concellation, a 4Runner Trail has all the same offroad tech (KDSS, Crawl control, MTS) as the Land Cruiser. This is the beauty of the trickle down effect with Toyota. The 4Runner is an exceptional value.

The Land Cruiser provides, slightly more interior space, 2000lbs more towing capacity (the real reason we're going with a LC200), built in offroad cameras, nicer interiors in terms of creature comforts (cooler box, rear seat entrainment, rear hvac ducts, better seating options, heated steering wheel, a quieter cabin).

Lastly the aftermarket is there... and the forum support is there just log on to ih8mud and you'll see.. bunch of great guys and gals over there to help answer questions.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[bjohnston115]

A Land Cruiser is a Land Cruiser. Everything else...isn't.

I'd still own one if I could afford it. But I'm also sure I'll own another when the time is right.

Go surf IH8MUD to check out the community.

This sums it all up.. There's the Land Cruiser, then there are all the other Toyota truck. I love my 4runner but there is just something about my 80 series cruiser that really does it for me when I'm driving it.

As for your dilemma... Search for a nice late model 100 Series cruiser. Aftermarket products are all over the place and you get your 2uz V8. When i was looking for a new truck I was stuck between a nice 100 series and the 5th gen. I got the 5th gen mainly because my wife wasnt too comfortable with me spending 30k on a 15+ year old truck.